Development and Testing of a Scale to Measure Symptom Distress Among Women Living With HIV/AIDS

Development and Testing of a Scale to Measure Symptom Distress Among Women Living With HIV/AIDS

Abstract:

Development and Testing of a Scale to Measure Symptom Distress Among Women Living With HIV/AIDS

Conference Sponsor:

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Year:

2004

Conference Date:

July 22-24, 2004

Author:

Lindberg, Claire E., PhD, RN

P.I. Institution Name:

The College of New Jersey

Title:

Associate Professor

Email:

clindberg6@comcast.net

Co-Authors:

Kathleen Casey, MD; Susan Bataille, RN

Objective: Development and testing of an instrument to measure physical symptoms in women with HIV/AIDS. Design: Methodological: Scale development and psychometric testing of the HIV Symptom Scale for Females (HIVSX-FEM). Population, Sample: Population/Dates: Adult women with HIVAIDS. 1999-2003. Two community-residing groups of seropositive women from a state with a high HIV/AIDS rates participated: 8 women in focus groups and 123 women completed questionnaires. The mean age of the participants was 41 (range 24-66). Sixty percent were black, 27% were white and 7% were Latina. Variables: Symptom distress: Measured using the HIVSX-FEM, a 28-item self-report scale. Health-related quality of life: Measured using the Medical Outcomes Scale–HIV (MOS-HIV). HIV-related mental distress: Measured with the HIV Impact Scale for Women (HIVIS-W). HIV status measured with standard disease indicators. Methods: HIVSX-FEM items were developed after literature review. Content validity was established through review by 2 content experts and women with HIV/AIDS. The MOS-HIV, the HIVIS-W and disease status indicators were used in evaluation of construct and criterion-related validity. Findings: Mean score on the HIVSX-FEM was 48.3 (range 4-140). Content validity index was 1.00. Internal consistency reliability was .92. Significant pearson correlations in with the MOS-HIV Overall Health Scale (-0.47, p<.001), and Quality of Life Scale (-0.57, p<.001) provide evidence of criterion-related validity. Evidence of construct validity is shown by correlation with mental health distress (HIVIS-W) (0.58, p<.001), several MOS-HIV Scales (Physical Function -0.48; Role Function -0.48; Social Function -0.45; and Mental Health Distress -0.49; p<.001 for each) and with HIV viral load (0.26, p<.01). Women with AIDS had higher symptom distress than women with HIV (t=2.55, p<0.05). Conclusions: Preliminary testing of the HIVSX-FEM demonstrates reliability, and content, criterion-related and construct validity. Implications: The HIVSX-FEM shows promise for measuring symptom distress in women with HIV/AIDS, in practice and research.